In writing about autonomous cars, we tend to discuss the advances in (or shortcomings of) self-driving technology. We make assessments based on how well (or how poorly) autonomous vehicles have learned to drive like humans.

In writing about autonomous cars, we tend to discuss the advances in (or shortcomings of) self-driving technology. We make assessments based on how well (or how poorly) autonomous vehicles have learned to drive like humans.

Worried about your car being hacked? The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are, too, and they've published some handy tips to keep you and your ride safe.

Worried about your car being hacked? The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are, too, and they've published some handy tips to keep you and your ride safe.

New York City might seem one of the most car-hostile environments on the planet, but it really isn't. Take the city's annual auto show as irrefutable proof of the opposite.

New York City might seem one of the most car-hostile environments on the planet, but it really isn't. Take the city's annual auto show as irrefutable proof of the opposite.

By Richard Read

Rude drivers come in all shapes and sizes, and they drive a wide variety of cars. We've been cut off by soccer moms in minivans, sound-blasted by bass-powered hoopties, and nearly t-boned by more muscle cars than we can count.

But for some reason, the rudest drivers on the road often seem to be those in luxury cars. Maybe that's just us projecting: we see a nice car, and we feel a tinge of jealousy, which creates an instant dislike for the driver. Or perhaps it's something we've picked up from movies: we see a Mercedes-Benz AMG zooming down the road and think, "Here comes another hedge-fund manager."

Or perhaps it's because the wealthy people who drive those cars really are jerks.

For folks who buy that last argument, there's now a bit of proof to back it up. According to the New York Times, a paper published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that the rich really do drive differently than the rest of us.

The paper -- entitled "Higher social class predicts increased unethical behavior" -- was written by Paul K. Piffa, Daniel M. Stancato, Stéphane Côté, Rodolfo Mendoza-Denton, and Dacher Keltnera. The researchers carried out a total of seven separate studies, each of which looked at the linkage between affluence and altruism.

Many of those studies involved participants who identified themselves as affluent or upper-class. The two studies focused on driving behavior, however, didn't engage directly with participants, but instead observed drivers at various intersections. A drivers' affluence was determined by the car she/he drove, which is, according to the study, a "reliable indicator of a person's social rank and wealth".

In the first study, observers stood at a four-way stop and noted how often drivers zipped into the intersection before it was their turn to go. In all, 12.4 percent did so.

In the second study, observers pretended to be pedestrians entering a crosswalk. (In California, where the study was carried out, drivers are required to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks.) A very substantial 34.9 percent of drivers failed to yield to the observer/pedestrian.

In both cases, upper-class drivers -- that is, drivers of luxury automobiles -- were most likely to drive rudely, and in the second study, break the law.

Some of the study's other findings:

- Luxury car drivers were most prone to zoom through crosswalks, but every driver of a "beater" car -- indicative of the lowest class level -- followed the law and stopped for pedestrians.

- Women were more likely to stop for pedestrians than men.

- All drivers were more likely to stop for a female pedestrian than a male.

- BMW drivers were the rudest on record.

- Prius drivers were also fairly rude. (The Prius was considered a status model for the survey, given its standing in Southern California.)

*DISCLAIMER*: The information contained in or provided through this site section is intended for general consumer understanding and education only and is not intended to be and is not a substitute for professional advice. Use of this site section and any information contained on or provided through this site section is at your own risk and any information contained on or provided through this site section is provided on an "as is" basis without any representations or warranties.